







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Sometimes he doesn't even recognize my mum. | |
| Anyway, what else do we have left to do now? | |
| I have one sister and she is nineteen. | |
| I'm calling him now then, do you want anything else? | |
| Does that help you to believe me? | |
| I've experienced how difficult and expensive it can be. | |
| Hello, what kind of dog do you have, Mike? | |
| It's all about my lovely little cat, Pogo. | |
| Upstairs, there is Diego and a British couple next to him. | |
| Oh look at this big boy, he gets bigger everytime I see him! | |
| How much do you pay for your room? | |
| Welcome to the Diamond Duck, do you have a reservation, sir? | |
| You can just stay with me, until you find somewhere to live. | |
| I have no idea... But I hope they have a good excuse! | |
| That's right, we should never forget how irresponsible my housemates are. | |
| I'm sorry but I have bad news about the room... | |
| Do you want me to call Diego, then? | |
| Yes, of course I remember. | |
| Sorry, I hope it doesn't ruin your childhood memories... | |
| Yeah, do you mean tricycles? | |